Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMcLaren

McLaren-Honda test was ‘very emotional’

Jenson Button says the first test for the new McLaren-Honda partnership was “very emotional” at Jerez last week.

Pre-season testing got underway in southern Spain with the MP4-30 running for the first time as McLaren renewed its partnership with Honda as power unit supplier. While the opening four days saw the car complete just 79 laps, Button said he could see progress throughout what was significant first test.

“The first test for us in Jerez was a very special one, very emotional and a really nice feeling to be working all as one,” Button said. “As we all know testing is all about improvement, and for me that’s what the first test was. We saw quite a bit of improvement in the way that we were working but also in the direction we were taking with the car and engine package.

“It really does feel as one. It doesn’t just feel like a car and an engine, it’s proper, it’s one full package, which is great. So I’m very much looking forward to the next two tests where we’ll make further improvements and hopefully we’ll arrive in Melbourne ready for the first race and to fight for the best result we possibly can.”

McLaren has announced its driver schedule for the second test at Barcelona, with Button driving on the opening two days before handing over to team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Click here for the full final day gallery from the Jerez test

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.